How long is a mortgage pre-approval good for?

Plenty of buyers get pre-approved, search for a few months, and then write an offer with a letter that is older than the seller's agent would like. The fix takes minutes. Here is why the letter ages and how to keep it current.

Why does a pre-approval expire?

Because each document inside it has a shelf life.

Lenders can only rely on documents that are recent. Pay stubs generally need to be from the last thirty days. Bank statements generally cover the most recent two months. Credit reports are usually valid for about four months under agency guidelines. Once any of those pass their limit, the lender cannot issue a new letter without fresh copies, which is where the sixty to ninety day rule of thumb comes from.

Source: Fannie Mae Selling Guide, section B1-1-03, allowable age of credit documents and federal income tax returns (2026 edition).

Why does the date on the letter matter?

Listing agents read the date before they read the amount. A letter from four months ago tells them your finances might have changed, and in a competitive situation that is enough to favor another offer. A letter dated this month says a lender looked at you recently and you are ready to move. Same buyer, same numbers, stronger offer.

How does a refresh work?

• Send updated documents. Your most recent pay stubs and the latest two bank statements. That covers most refreshes.
• Credit, only if needed. If the report has aged past the limit, the lender pulls a new one. Mortgage inquiries inside a short shopping window count as a single event for scoring.
• A quick review. Your loan officer confirms nothing material changed, or updates the letter if it did. A raise or a paid-off balance can make the letter stronger.
• A new letter, dated today. Usually the same day the documents arrive. Keep a copy on your phone so it is ready when you find the house.

What if your finances changed?

A refresh is also a checkpoint. If your income went up, a balance went down, or your score climbed, the new letter should reflect it. If you opened a new account or changed jobs, say so, because it is far better to adjust the letter now than to discover a problem under contract. Our guide on what not to do after pre-approval covers the moves that most often change a file.

You are not starting over

A refresh is not a new application. Your file, your program, and your review are already in place. Whether it has been two months or a year, the path back to a current letter is short, and it costs nothing. If you were pre-approved with us and your letter has aged, reply to your loan officer's last email or call the office, and it is handled. New to us? Start with what pre-approval is and how long it takes.

Frequently asked questions

Does my pre-approval expire on an exact date?

The letter carries a date, and listing agents look at it. Behind the letter, the individual documents have their own limits, so the practical answer is that it starts to go stale after about two months and should be refreshed before you write an offer.

Does refreshing my pre-approval hurt my credit?

Updated pay stubs and bank statements do not touch your credit. If the credit report itself has aged past the lender's limit, a new pull is needed, and scoring models treat mortgage inquiries in a short window as one event.

What if my finances changed since I was pre-approved?

Tell your loan officer. A raise, a paid-off balance, or a higher score can improve the letter. A new debt or a job change may adjust it. Either way, you want the letter to match reality before a seller relies on it.

Can I use an old pre-approval letter with my offer?

You can, but an old date can make a listing agent hesitate or ask for a current one at the worst moment. A fresh letter dated this month is a stronger offer with no extra cost.

Do I have to start over if it expired?

No. Your file is already built. A refresh means sending the latest versions of a few documents, not a new application.

Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not financial advice, a commitment to lend, or an offer of credit. Document age limits and pre-approval validity vary by lender and loan program. Pre-approval is subject to verification and does not guarantee final loan approval. Warens Financial Group, NMLS #2532048. Equal Housing Opportunity. Warens Financial Group, NMLS #2532048. Franklin Warens, Mortgage Broker, NMLS #1249423. Equal Housing Opportunity.